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What is Choice Architecture?

What is Choice Architecture?

What is Choice Architecture?

Both life and games are full of choices. Some of us approach those choices head on. Others take their time to come to rational conclusions about what choices are best for them. Yet others don’t put that much stake into the outcome of their choices.

Choices are one thing; but how people consider making those choices is another. The field associated with presenting choices to individuals is called “choice architecture.” This article will provide a broad overview on choice architecture and its impact on individuals, society, education, and games for learning.

This article will first define choice architecture as well as discuss its relationship between how choices are structured and its impact on consumers (users, learners, and players). The underlying philosophies of choice architecture will be explained as well as how they inform choice structure.

One of the most important things to consider regarding choices are outcomes. Therefore, choice outcomes will be defined in addition to common user experiences such as: choice overwhelm, choice preferences, and strategies for choosing.

Choice architecture is based on behavior principles and the way that individuals make choices considering specific structures such as “defaults” and “nudges.” Nudges are otherwise known as small changes in the decision framework that influence users from one choice to another.

Wherever there is choice; there must also be an architect of that choice. Therefore, this article will review and explain the role of these choice architects and how their work affects and influences the “core loop” of the player experience and how feedback influence individuals’ choices.

Finally, this article closes by discussing three key areas of choice architecture. They include choices in games; choices in education and learning; and an amalgamation of the two with choice frameworks in games-based learning.

Choice Architecture Defined

Choice architecture is the design of different ways where choices can be presented to decision makers. Those decision makers are individuals who are often referred to as users, players, or learners. Choice architecture concentrateson the impact that presentation of choice has on decision making.

The impacts that these choices can have aresignificant. The field of choice architecture informs and influences the norms, habits, practices, and patterns that structure our very social, political, and institutional lives. Therefore, it’s important to understand how choices are structured for our decision and consumption and what forces may be at play at influencing those choices.

The origins of choice architecture are drawn from behavioral economics.Behavioral economics is a sub-field of economics that combines the elements of psychology, cognition, emotion, and socio-cultural factors that influence the way that individuals or organizations make decisions.

Behavioraleconomics is unique because it deviates from the decision-making framework of classical economic theory.  Behavioral economics aims to study how and why people behave the way that they do in the real world as their decisions could run counter to rational behavior.

The term “choice architecture” was originally coined by RichardThaler and Cass Sunstein on the practice of influencing choice based on “organizing the content in which people make decisions.

Choice architecture emerged as a novel field as it studied how users’ preferences could be influenced based on the context in which choices were presented with them. In turn, this created a need for the development and structure of how individuals could be influenced in making those choices.

Consumerism and Choice Architecture

Choice architecture focuses on the aspects and decision-making structures of the users (also known as consumers). Choice architecture can be applied in certain and subtle ways to “nudge” them to make certain choices over others.

These “nudges” are often framed where one option is presented more attractively than another.  This is because consumers react differently to the presentation of different choices as well as the choices themselves.

The onus of the choice is on the consumer. Whereas the structure of the decision is ultimately the discretion of the choice architect and framing the choice to serve the decision maker’s best interest. This is complicated with some moral quandarieson “what” constitutes the best choice for the user as well as how choices can be presentedwithout reducing the decision maker’s freedom to choose.

Therefore, choice architecture can contain some bias based on who the architect is. Values, ideologies, and commercial gains all factor into how these choices are structured. Despite this, the focus should remain on creating the best and most honest goal of maintaining decision maker’s own agency.

Philosophy of Choice Architecture

Choice architect is an interesting field because of its novelty as well as its growth out of design that is often done without much forethought. That’s because many choices are often made in environmentswhere the designer never put much effort into designing the choice.  Therefore, the impact of users’ decision-making structures could be adversely affected by outside influences: both intentional and unintentional.

One of the philosophies that influences choice architecture is that of libertarian paternalism. This philosophy focuses on the idea that both private and public institutions may legitimately influence and affect the behavior of individuals while simultaneouslyrespecting their freedom of choice. This means that choices can be structured with a user intent in mind; so long as that architecture doesn’t undermine individuals’ agency to make those choices.

Therefore, choice architecture exists to help users overcome the irrational biases that affect decision making. Those could include limiting choices, undermining human agency, and moral autonomy.

Outcomes of Choice

Choice architecture is important because the outcome of choices are important.  However, the relevancy of choice outcomes are based on the time in which they are made. These can be near instantaneous or manifested far into the future. This is part of the reason why making choices and their intended outcomes can be difficult for users.

This is why certain applications of choice architecture, such as with gamification design, often include default choices for users to make. The default being the average best intended outcome for users should they fail to make any choice.

However, gamification, like with games, is often focused on a positive and often pleasurable user experience. As such, this means that the results and gratification from choices must be provided instantly or within a short time frame. Such quick forms of feedback often drive positive user experiences.

Despite this, choice architecture remains a viable solution in improving the outcome of users’ decisions to compared to other alternative approaches. Other approaches such as educating individuals as well as providing monetary incentives often do not possess the equivalent impact of incorporating well-conceived choice architecture.

Choice Overwhelm

One of the impacts that good choice architecture can have is addressing one of the most prevalent patterns when making choices. The feeling of overwhelm known as “choice overload.” Giving users the autonomy and agency to make choices is a good thing. However, providing too many choices and options can cause dissatisfaction and lead to things like decision fatigue. The results of which end with selecting default options or procrastination by avoiding the choice all together.

This is often known in games as analysis paralysis. Analysis paralysis (or paralysis by analysis) is a phenomenon in which a person or group of people over think a given situation which slows down the path towards making a specific decision. This causes them to become “paralyzed” without a decision being made within a reasonable time frame.

There are often viable solutions for addressing choice overload. One of which is through the intervention of choice architects by limiting alternatives or providing guides for making the best and most informed choice for users.

Structure of Choice Architecture

There are some options when creating and determining choice architecture. They involve focusing on certain strategies such as determining the number of alternatives; creating “decision aids” to guide a user through the process; determining default options; framing; decoy options; and providing different choices over time.

All the options are determined to usher users throughout this process. Specifically,decision aids are meant as an option to help choosers make the best choice based on the size and complexity of all available options.

Anotherstructure available for choice architecture is to limit the number of options given to users in the decision framework. This provides them with a limited set of what they can choose. However, these reductions in choice may lead to negative impacts on their overall welfare.

Perhaps one of the most common considerations for structuring choice architecture is dividing up the task into two separate categories. The first category involves determining which choices are available for the user (often called the choice set). Whereas the other category describes and frames the choice for users (otherwise called the decision framework or decision matrix).

Choice Architecture Strategies

Overall, the goal of choice architecture is to reduce the cognitive load of users and aid them in efficientlymaking decisions that are in their best interest. Therefore, the way that choice architects structure decisions have an outsized impact on the actual choices that people make. This is even more critical when there are a greater number of choices available to users. As such, a more robust choice architecture will provide the necessary structure to influence and affect outcomes for users.

To achieve this, choice architects often employ one of the six elements of choice structure. They include: reducing choice overload; defaults; choices over time; partitioning options and attributes; avoiding attribute overload; and translating attributes.

Choice overload is focused on presenting users with an ideal number of choices. These are presented to reduce the cognitive load which is required from users to make said choices. This often influences default options. Default options are choices that are framed as “pre-selections” ofa user’soption. This means that users will often select the default (and usually easiest) option.

Examples of choice overload can be seen when consumers review a menu of options at a restaurant. The number of choices available can easily overwhelm someone who is not sure what they would like to eat. Likewise, an example of a default choice for travelers could be the selection of ticket purchases for a bus or train via an automated kiosk. Without further information, the kiosk can assume that the traveler would like to take the next scheduled departure for their intended destination. It’s up to the user to change the time of their departure ticket.

Another strategy is implementing a choice dependent on time. This could affect users with several biases who are attracted to immediate benefits that they could experience now versus benefits that they could experience later. This could be connected to the aspect of partitioning options and attributes to the choice structure. This means that users often group “like” attributes together tomake a decision. Such decisions could include a purchase of something with characteristics that they “need” versus those that they “want.”

Examples of choices dependent on time are “limited time offers” such as sales which have an immediate impact for the user based on a prescribed threshold. This limit often provides a “nudge” to users to decide now, rather than later. As such, these reduce procrastination in the future. Likewise, an example of partitioning options and attributes include the purchase of a new personal laptop computer. A user may need essential features such as wireless connectivity, a backlit keyboard; and a large screen. However other features could be deemed “aesthetic” for options that come in different colors and finishes.

Another strategy for choice architecture involves avoiding attribute overload. It is here where choices are connected to a certain number of attributes to help guide the user to decide. Any more attributes than necessary cause a cognitive burden which makes the choice more difficult for the consumer. This can be connected to the process of translating attributes for users. Here is where information about different choice characteristicsare translated into different “headers” or summaries for what they mean. This is closely related to the partitioning of options and attributes; but is done from the side of the choice architect. Doing so can help usher users to making decisions based on different goals, motivations, and priorities.

Examples of choices that avoid the attribute overload are considering different hotels when travelling. When examining different hotel options only certain attributes may be important or relevant to the user. Therefore, determining what those attributes are and presenting them in a logical order helps the user make a decisionthat best serves their needs. Such characteristics could include check-in time; bed types and quantities; and the option for free on-site breakfast. Likewise, examples of translating attributes can often be seen in food labels where some products are indicated to be “high” or “low” in a particular product such as fat or salt. Sharing this label indicates to users particularcharacteristics that they may find helpful in making a decision.

Nudges and Choice Architecture

Nudges” were discussed in relationship to choicearchitecture. The term has been used to intentionally design choice structures with users’ biases in mind. These have the outcome of users responding in the way the choice architect desires.

This can often be seen in real world examples for individuals who are dieting and attempting cut back on their consumption of sweets. A “nudge” in this case would be to remove any “temptation” foods from the refrigerator, cabinet, or pantry and hiding them in a place out of sight. The lack of such unhealthy optionsin the immediate vicinity makesthe decision to choose other (healthier options) more likely.

In addition, changes to the experiences for users can also influence their behavior. Such is the case with many mobile apps or other devices that emit a celebratory and audible “ding” after making a section that can influence users’ selections.

It should be noted that “nudges” represent small changes in presentation that are meant to gently guide users towards more influential options. This is in contrast to more heavy handed and “authoritarian” methods that emphasize the imposition of a dominant choice.

Nudges serve as an important aspect to choice architecture as individuals making decisions can ultimately serve as “sense makers” for other users making the same or similar decisions. This is especially the case with public policy or governmental interventions which influence and affect individuals behaviors at scale.

Therefore, it’s important to consider the user experience when designing nudges as part of choice architecture. Deploying them too often could feel distracting; forced; or annoying for the users. It’s why mobile apps often provide a fertile testing ground for choice architects that can include simpler nudges which can have an outsized effect on user behavior.

Ultimately, nudges represent a single strategy as part of a larger choicearchitectureeffort whose interventions can promote positive behavior across a given populace. Such is the case when smaller interventions, for example those used in educational settings, are deployed in concert with effective choice architecture.

Defaults in Choice Architecture

In relation to nudges, defaults also serve as a smaller intervention in the greater framework of choice architecture. Default represents options for users wherea selection is made automatically. Users can therefore do nothing and accept the default selection or act and make a proactive selection.

Many consumers pursue the default options as it is often the easiest selection requiring the least amount of effort. Such an example of this is the automatic enrollment in companies’ 401(k) retirement savings accounts. Many employers will automatically make a default contribution for the employee at a set amount. It is then up to the employee to make a proactive choice to augment or cancel said contribution.

Another example of the default options lies with computer settings such as with screen savers and login screens. Often, the default configuration for a device is to log a user out when no activity is detected over a specified period of time. Such a feature serves a security goal of locking a device when unattended to avoid any malicious use.

While defaults remain a small but powerful strategy in choice architecture; it doesn’t always serve the users’ best interests. Therefore, sometimes it is necessary to urge and promote choice selection as an activity that a user should and must do.

Behavior in Choice Architecture

Choice architecture was based in behavioral economics. Therefore, it’s main purposeis to influence and affect the choice behavior of users. This is based on the inner mechanisms and processes through which individuals make choices.

Ultimately there are two distinct camps that users fall into when choosing in a decision-making framework. Those include when users serve as naïve and passive targets who need help and structure in making the best choice for their interests. The other camp is when users act as sensemakers who look for social cues from their environments to inform and influence their choice.

Both camps of users are served by choice architecture; however, both require a different framework for influencing and guiding their decision making process. Some of this process can be influenced through training, education, and learning. Such is the case with Japanese train conductors who have been socialized to cognitively recognize their practices in executing their duties via the “point and call” method. Doing so ensures that they are executing key functions as part of train operations and not merely making regular decisions that are on “auto-pilot” as they continue to work.

Likewise, users can often fall into the passive and naïve decision maker camp when it comes to causes for social good such as organ donation. This choice framework is most often cited when addressing defaults as users who register at the department of motor vehicles (DMV) or equivalent are often given the choice of serving as an organ donor upon their death. However, the program has much greater social good when the default choice is set to “yes” rather than the opposite mode of “opt in” which requires users to make an active choice to participate. Such a default makes the choices for users and requires them to actto “opt out.” Because of this, there is greater prevalence of organ donors for localities where drivers must of opt-out instead of opt-in.

Choice Architects

Choice architects exist as the individuals for whom this task is granted and assigned to. Ultimately their goal is to design the choice framework so that users can make a decision in an optimal way.Anyscenario where a choice must be made requires the necessity of the choice architect.

The choice architect uses the tools, options, and strategies of choice architecture to indirectly influence the choice of others to make to influence a desired behavior. It is important that this is done in an intentional and purposeful way while simultaneously not restricting options or significantly changing user incentives.

However, selecting and deferring choices to choice architects comes with a cost. They are ultimately responsible for influencing the choice of users and therefore can wield immense power in certain scenarios. Therefore, they can also act as an impediment to effective choices and the ultimateagency of the decision maker.

Conversely this can be idealized with augmenting the charge for choice architects to streamline the decision-making process for users to make the best possible choice for them. This can become more complicated as alternatives become more numerous and more complex – thus belaboring the task of the choice architect. Therefore, the choice architect also has the ultimate power to force the user to make a choice of their own: without the help, aid, or influence, of the choice architect.

Games and Choice Architecture

Games are inherent spaces for choice architecture. As they require input and engagement for players to continue playing them; they will often require that the user make choices toachieve, exceed, and compete against themselves; the game; or other players.

Great games are able to balance different aspects of the player experience and game difficulty along a learning curve. Such that there is still a sense of exploration, wonder, amusement, and engagement. Often to the positive impact of the player who is asked to engage with the game continually and repeatedly.

The same can also be said for applications of gamification. While gamification and games are not one in the same; they provide some significant overlap in choice architecture. Gamification is the application of game-like elements in non-game settings. Therefore, aspects such as decisions, options, and choice architecture are present in gamification applications that end up influencing the user. However, it’s key to note that gamification is not about player behaviors, but rather player decisions.

Therefore, for gamification to truly affect players choices and affect their end behavior, it must present a framework from which choice can be influenced. In reality, the choice architect must also address the intrinsic motivation of players and users. Specifically, what their underlying motivations are to continue to play, learn, and engage. Why are they really here? What are they supposed to do? What would they like to do? How can we structure decisions that help address those ends?

This is often easier said than done with gamification design. As this means that the methods, motives, and ability to take an action and make a choice in an environment must all align at the same time. However, this can be done repeatedly and successfully in many of the gamified systems we see around us each day. Those include incentives urging us to get up and move; options to buy one product over another; and competitions against others of the same or similar activity level.

However, the motive and desire of human nature cannot always be predicted successfully 100% of the time. Therefore, the design, development, and ultimately the selection process of individuals is inherently unpredictable. As such, we often need to turn back towards the libertarian paternalismwhere we can influence choice but must respect the autonomy and agency of others.

Otherwise the design of “meaningless choices” in gamified system could end with the choice architect losing influence over players.

Core Loop and Feedback in Choice Architecture

The core loop in games exist as the series and set of actions that players take repeatedly until the end state of the game is reached. Similarly, choice architects are often tasked with choices that are included and inherent to this core loop.

In gamification design, this core loop encompasses three distinct and separate stages: anticipation, challenge, and reward. The anticipation includes the player knowing that a choice is upcoming and preparing oneself to make it. The challenge is the decision framework and architecture that goes into the choice. Thereward is the ultimate feedback that the player earns as a result ofmaking the choice. Nowhere are these options more transparent than at the casino blackjack table where the dealing of cards to players represents the anticipation of choice. The decision to “stay” or “hit” represents the actionable choice, and the reward (either winning or losing money) comes at the end of this choice framework.

This represents a more complex core loop of activities. However, they don’t always need to be structured this way. One such core loop exists within the Paris metro system where riders must swipe their cards to gain entry to the system. The card reader is designed to read the card.  However, the orientation of the card may not always align with the reader. Therefore, choice architects here (expecting error) have instead designed the reader to be able to read the card in any number of different orientations. Therefore, the choice framework of how to position the card is eliminated and more riders can enjoy more journeys faster and easier.

Likewise, choice architects can best address similar core loops with other user choices by expecting and curating the selection for users. This can be seen with rideshare apps that increase prices for rides based on “surge” or “demand” pricing.During surges, prices are higher than normal duea greater demand. Often, this information is not actualized by users prior to boarding their vehicle. So, creating a framework where users must make additional “decisions” to opt into the surge pricing is made clear so they become cognitively aware of the additional pricing at this time.

Games-Based Learning and Choice Architecture

Choice architecture is inherent wherever there is a choice to be made by a user. We’ve discussed that choices appear and are a part of games. They are also a part of games-based learning. Choices here are created in a learning environment in a way that influences the decisions that players make and the paths that they take within the game.

One of the most prolific examples of choices here are in “Choose Your Own Adventure” or decision-based narratives where users make choices that reflect their own agency and autonomy. Likewise, they must often suffer the consequences or rewards from such choices.

As a whole, choice architecture in games-based learning is used to guide players towards desired learning outcomes by presenting them with choices that encourage them to engage with the game (and by connecting with the material) in a certain way. This is often observed in simulations where learners are asked to engage and take actions that best reflect a new process, policy; or knowledge that achieves a specific and desired outcome. Such engagement provides a venue for learners to apply knowledge experientially.

Choice architecture serves as a critical aspect to designing serious games; educational games; and learning games when attempting to influence learners and players’ behavior. When given the option, players should engage with learning content in meaningful ways where choices are structured to put knowledge into practice.

Education, Learning, and Choice Architecture

Choice architecture can likewise be applied in education and learning by creating a sense of agency and ownership over the learning process. This is done by providing learners the autonomy to make choices that provide actual direction for learners that addresses their intrinsic motivations. Doing so influences learners to engage and demonstrate efficacy and competency in their learning experience.

This efficacy and competency can then result in an engagement of flow state for learners. This state of highly entrenched engagement makes it so that learners are completely engrossed in the process.

Such a state can be attained when the choice architecture is created by an educator in a way that provides the learners with transparency and the agency to make decisions. Those decisions can be further reinforced through different choice architecture strategies such as using facets to narrow down options that will have the biggest impact for the learner.

Another strategy involves the application of comparison tools which allow learners to examine and compare different attributes of selections based on their desired outcomes. This strategy ultimately addresses the question for most learners: what are the learning goals and what is the path to achieve them?  This is further reinforced through the dissemination and transparency of terminology that is relevant and critical for students’ learning.

Takeaways

This article explored the different applications of choice architecture. It started out with a definition of choice architecture and the role that it plays in consumerism, users, and players. The philosophy of choice architecturewas discussed as well as how choice architecture is structured.

Different outcomes and their meanings for users was covered as well as “choice” overwhelm otherwise known as “analysis paralysis” when structuring user experiences.  This was discussed in relation to different aspects and approaches to choicearchitecture. Strategies of choice architectureas well as the influence of choice over the behavior of userswas discussed.

Specific aspects of choice frameworks were described which included the power of “default” choices as well as making small changes to choice architecture known as “nudges” that have an outside impact on behavior.

The role of choice architects was defined in relation to the core loop of choices and feedback in choice architecture; choice frameworks in games; choice frameworks in games-based learning; and finally choice architecture in education and learning.

This article was about choice architecture.  To learn more about gamification, check out the free course on Gamification Explained.

Dave Eng, EdD

Principal

dave@universityxp.com

www.universityxp.com

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Cite this Article

Eng, D. (2023, June 27). What is Choice Architecture? Retrieved MONTH DATE, YEAR, from https://www.universityxp.com/blog/2023/6/27/what-is-choice-architecture

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